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KETTERING — Like the rest of the Southwest District's wrestlers, Greeneview and its Ohio Heritage Conference brethren had to wait an extra day before getting on the mats due to Friday's poor weather conditions.

Rams coach Mike Sizemore knew that had the potential for disaster.

"Yesterday (Friday, Feb. 22) was tough to battle through," said Sizemore. "I knew it would be tough to sit and wait an extra day because believe me, they were ready to go."

Judging by their effort during the first day of the Division III district championships at Fairmont High's Trent Arena on Saturday, Feb. 23, it only made his Rams more focused.

They went a perfect 8-for-8 in the first round, then advanced five of those wrestlers to this morning's semifinals with quarterfinal wins. Greeneview is second with 59.5 points.

"I didn't expect them to go perfect in the first round, not at this level," admitted Sizemore. "But that's something we talked about all week, being mentally prepared. Here, everyone knows how to wrestle. It's the ones who are mentally prepared who get to state."

Greeneview saw all four of its seniors — Mike Eavers (130 pounds), Branden Pike (140), Doug Randall (215) and Josh Reynolds — and junior Tim Hoskins (112) all advance to this morning semifinals with two victories each.

Teammates Tim Arthur (103), Brett Benedict (119) and Brock Wagner (160) won their first matches, but lost in the quarterfinals, but remain alive in the consolation round.

"We had a good week of practice," said Sizemore, a former Beavercreek assistant who had his team practice with the Beavers twice this week. "I'm absolutely happy with the first day, but there's always room for improvement."

Mechanicsburg also had a perfect first round, going 4-for-4, but only two Indians ended up making it to the semis — senior Cody Rodgers (152) and junior Ethan Price (160). Teammates Nick Ziegler (125) and Brendon Klaus (130) went 1-1 and will try to work their way through the consolation bracket today.

West Liberty-Salem was almost perfect in the first round, going 4-for-6. And three are in the semis — senior Curt Levy (145), junior Ben Lewis (160) and sophomore Corey Thompson (171). Senior Travis Wooten (119) won his first match, but lost in the quarters.

"I don't know how to describe today," said WLS coach Ron Bair. "I'm happy, but the Wootens (freshman brother Britt lost in the first round) had tough matches. A lot of times, its two good guys going at it and it just comes down to luck.

"The Wootens didn't have the luck today."

Triad's only qualifier, junior Jordan Deady (125), managed to make it to today's semifinals on the strength of an overtime win in the first round and a technical fall in the quarters.

"Jordan's definitely the start of a rebuilding process," said Cardinals coach Nathan Bailes. "He's definitely in a good spot."

Northeastern brought seven qualifiers into the tourney, but only has one in the semifinals — senior 189-pounder Cody Shaw.

"Not bad for someone who has only wrestled two seasons," said Northeastern coach Ben Obee.

Action gets started this morning at 10 a.m. with championship semifinals and second-round consolations going simultaneously.